Another double feature for you all! This is a Shield Hero segment and boy does it go off the rails… On another note, I am working out the kinks to another story so do look out for that once I decide to post
(Sorry Dragonbone, I kinda had to change it up a lot more than I thought…)
Meanwhile, in Mirso…
Dried blood and decaying bodies littered the streets. Several homes and businesses left derelict and unattended. All at the behest of one Sword Hero. The people of Mirso hated it, but they had food sufficient and their source of water had thankfully been left uncontaminated.
There were moments of course when monsters or bandits would wander into the town… often to be met with swift death. The monsters would be gutted where they fell, their bodies mangled to unrecognizable imageries. The marauding men would have their hearts gouged or limbs severed, but never to an extreme.
Yet, every so often, a quick footed monster would slither past with grace and silence. One such beast, a giant white snake adorned with brown diamonds had found its way to the long decayed body of the Griffon Empress. Digging its way through the pile of filth and death, it found a strange meal in the form of a rather sizable egg. Prize tucked away safely in its bowels, the snake slithered away in peace… at least until several men and women popped up from the scattered rubble and began to fire arrow after arrow or attempted to pierce its body with various farming equipment.
Two arrows had found purchase at the base of the serpent's tail as it frantically made its way for the river, narrowly escaping death until a thrown hatchet had severed its body in twain. Its lower half, and by extension the still untouched egg, had fallen into the river as what was left of the serpent had been left to face its death.
For hours did the egg travel, for hours had it faced near extinction with every jagged stone, every diving avian… Whether an act of fate or divine intervention, the egg had arrived upon the sands of a far off roadside. Every so often it had shaken as if trying to crack open. Its fervent movement had unfortunately drawn the curiosity of a beast all the more dangerous.
"Firo! It's time to go!" Naofumi called out, the long, blonde haired winged child pouted and whined as she considered between the reprimands of her master and the delicious morsel that was no doubt about to hatch, "FIRO! HURRY UP OR I'LL GET A FILORIAL WHO WILL LISTEN TO ME!"
"Ah! Coming, Master!" Filo called out before whimpering, "Hmm~ And Filo was really hungry too…" The child had morphed into a large bird as it ran off, leaving the egg to shake and crack, a beak popping out in an attempt to break its prison. The cracks soon started to spread all over the egg until it burst, allowing the contents to fall upon the ground. A small snow white griffon chick blinked its eyes and took in its surroundings. The chick squawked a few times as if testing its voice until it started to make a sound like a tune.
Tiny bugs had begun to fly close to the chick, mesmerized and entranced by the tune only for the chick's sharpened onyx colored beak to clamp down on the bugs before eating them whole. Once it had its fill, the chick shook off any gunk left from the egg and shakily took to its feet showing that while its beak was of onyx black its eyes glowed with an amberish glow.
It stretched its legs and flapped its tiny wings and started to fully look around the area. It started to sniff the air and caught a sublime and familiar scent. The chick smirked as it started to leave its cracked egg behind, still humming a tune. The clanging of pots and pans echoed from within a small encampment, a raccoon eared woman aiding a wild haired man load a cargo wagon. Chirping happily, the chick immediately ran up to the duo just as the last of their cargo was stored.
"Ah!? Naofumi-Sama! Behind you!" Raphtalia shouted as she reached out. She had been much too late however as the chick had managed to jump right onto Naofumi's chest as he turned around.
However, the attack the two expected had not come. Instead, the chick only nuzzled itself into Naofumi, the Shield Hero holding the chick closer to him, "What the… where did you come from?" He asked of the chick.
"Naofumi-Sama! You shouldn't just trust a wild animal like that!" Raphtalia shouted in an effort to chastise Naofumi's reckless nature.
The chick only hissed at the increasingly irate raccoon girl while Naofumi chuckled, "Come on Raphtalia, it's fine. They're just a bit more friendly then the usual monsters," Naofumi assured the girl, hand never leaving the happily purring chick.
"Does it have legs?" Raphtalia asked curiously, two pawed legs scratching at Naofumi's chest as a pair of claws clung to his armor.
"Anyway, let's get going to the next town," Naofumi replied as he hoisted himself atop the wagon, "Hopefully the next forest has better herbs to fill that order."
Raphtalia only sighed as she took a seat within the wagon, lamenting the fact that Naofumi now had a new companion who seemed to make him smile… though she also seemed quite pleased with it all. Meanwhile, Naofumi took stock of their current product. A crate of glass vials filled with herbicide, an advance payment already placed for the delivery of the serum.
The chick looked upon the crate with growing interest as it found a place upon Naofumi's lap, "Hm? What, see something you like?" Naofumi asked as he lift a vial and brought it closer to the chick, "You're pretty curious for a monster," The chick gave the vial a quick peck, Naofumi swiftly pulling the vial away. A quick inspection showed that there had been no structural damage to the glass, but he couldn't help but feel that its contents had seemed to glow just a tad brighter… "Might just be the sun."
"Master!" Raphtalia shouted, "You need to see this!" Beyond the view of the wagon, Naofumi and Co. took in the sight of a village ensnared in pulsating roots and writhing vines.
"ARE YOU SHITTING ME!?" Naofumi shouted as he jumped out of the wagon, herbicide at the ready, "NO ONE TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS BAD!"
"Naofumi-Sama, you'll only draw their attention if you shout so recklessly!" Raphtalia chastised as her enraged master growled.
"I can't help it!" Naofumi continued to shout as he laid his eyes upon the ruined town, "I mean are you fucking kidding me!? This was not what we signed up for!" Wishing to temper his rage, the chick had found its way onto the Shield Hero's shoulders and began to rub its feathered head along Naofumi's cheek. With a harsh sigh, the enraged hero had calmed himself as he idly pet the chick upon his shoulder.
"Master! You should try this fruit!" Firo cheered as she plucked the random fruit that had grown along the vines, "It's really good! Just like a sweet potato!~"
Groaning, Naofumi turned to glare at his giant mount, "Firo, this is not the time to eat…" He growled out only to flinch as the chick began to cry a sad song, "Oh… you must be hungry too…" Sighing, the Shield Hero had plucked a fruit as well and began to feed his new companion, though…
"Eh? Oh! That monster looks really tasty!" Firo cheered as she eyed the chick with viciously hungry eyes, "Can I eat it, Master!?" The chick only hid within Naofumi's clothing so as to escape the giant Filorial.
"We can eat later," Naofumi declared pointedly as he walked deeper into the town, "Shit… what's with all this? This is just way too much!"
"But didn't they already pay us a huge amount to exterminate?" Firo asked, mouth still dripping with saliva, "You looked really happy about it too!" Naofumi had ignored this as Raphtalia shushed the Filorial as quietly as possible.
As the group moved deeper into unknown territory, they had quickly spotted a child seemingly enveloped in roots. Surprise had claimed Naofumi and Raphtalia, the chick managing to poke her head out from underneath Naofumi's chest plate as they neared the child.
"This is…" Raphtalia's words had caught in her throat as she neared, afraid of the sight before them.
"Looks like it feeds off life energy," Naofumi deduced as he drew ever closer to the child, the chick wrapped in his clothing shivering, "Hey! Do you have any money with you!?" Naofumi asked.
"Master Naofumi!" Raphtalia chastised, causing the Shield Hero to groan.
"I know…" He whispered as he prepared a vial, yet once he had been at arm's reach, the child's eyes opened immediately. The boy's eyes had begun to glow with faint orange light as he reached out. Pulling back, Naofumi readied his Shield as the chick hid. With a slow huff, Naofumi carefully maneuvered towards the child and slipped the vial of herbicide into the child's gaping mouth, watching as their eyes returned to normal and the overgrowth dissolved.
"At least we know the herbicide can be used as medicine," Raphtalia said with a relieved smile.
"It's probably because my alchemy rank is so high," Naofumi said with relief as he turned away, the child behind him quickly stirring.
"Um, excuse me sir…" The child groaned out with a gravely voice.
"Just stay where you are until we come back for the payment," Naofumi replied, not at all bothering to look back. With that, the group of four travelled deeper into the vegetation.
Unfortunately, the vines and roots had been incredibly lively as the group was viciously attacked by giant living flowers that had wide gaping maws and rows upon rows of teeth to rip and tear. The vines closest to the party had quickly attempted to wrap around Naofumi. Thankfully, Raphtalia was able to swiftly cut through the vines with her sword, though a burst of orange pollen did leave her in a coughing fit.
"Raphtalia!" Naofumi called out as he rushed to the girl's side, "Are you alright?" His worry was echoed by the party's new companion, the lion bodied chick quickly jumping onto Raphtalia's head.
Surprised, but smiling, Raphtalia had pet the disturbed beast before giving Naofumi a confident nod, "I'm alright, Master…" She blinked suddenly as she reached for her throat, her voice hoarse and scratchy. Coughing once more, Raphtalia found that her breathing had become easier much to Naofumi's relief… though the Shield Hero couldn't help but rub his eyes as it almost looked like the raccoon girl's eyes had shined with light.
Continuing their descent, the group formed a tight cluster. Filo was able to use raw strength to break the vines and even eat some of the flowers, commenting that they tasted "meaty". Naofumi himself threw some of the herbicide he made at some of the flowers causing them to rot and wilt. None of them noticed the little chick pecking the vials or how her eyes glowed a slight topaz.
Their problem had only seemed to worsen as more of the villagers started to come out of their homes with vines and plant-like growths pulsing on their bodies as their eyes glowed an ominous amber that showed their will wasn't their own. All this just as the group had found what was no doubt the nucleus of the infectious infestation. It was a massive flower with an even greater orange bulb held within attached to an even greater tree. Its writhing vines and roots had quickly grown multiple eyes, mouths, as well as steel thorns that began to whip about.
Naofumi and Co. were unfortunately forced to retreat slightly so as to not catch the villagers in the crossfire of attacking the monstrous flower.
"Are you kidding me? Is the entire village infected by this plant? What sort of Biohazard bullshit is this!?" Naofumi roared, pushing back and sometimes even punching away villagers that tried to hold him down. Luckily his low attack stat caused little damage to the villagers but stunned them enough for him to throw more pesticide on them.
As more and more of the plant growth shriveled and died, the base plant started to writhe as it screeched into the heavens an eldritch song. Roots started to upturn the ground as the tree itself started to move and destroy the annoying gnats that dared intrude on its garden of sustenance. The plant however noticed a succulent scent in the air and narrowed its manys eyes on Naofumi.
Its hunger started to grow as its many mouths started to salivate at the chance to eat this premium food that would help it grow to obtain its true prize. It had caught the scent of divinity wafting through the air. Something truly delicious had fallen into its clutches and it craved to consume this treat. The plant started to writhe again as more and more thorns, teeth, and even spikes grew from its body.
The whole town shook ever more as an endless multitude of roots were pulled from the ground as the wooden behemoth started to tread towards the morsels that would feed it before it went off to consume its true prey.
Naofumi could only look in horror as this abomination started to make its way towards them by destroying houses, carts, and even walls to reach them. He raised his shield, the twin snake adorned armament quickly changing into the form of the Hallownest Hero, Hegemol.
[Hegemol's Bulwark Rank: 68/75
Defense: 233
Passive (Mastered): Null! Negate all damage below 50 points
Passive: Half! All damage is halved
Passive (Stack): Negate all damage below 100 points
Active: Baldur's Shell, Don the Baldur's Carapace
Active: Don Hegemol's Armor]
With a calm sigh, Naofumi focused his very Soul as his life bar began to steadily lower, "Hegemol…" And with but a whispered word, Naofumi slammed bodily into the tree and began to push it back. With a vicious roar, the man eating plant began to slam vine upon vine upon Naofumi's armored body to no avail.
"Firo! Now, while we have a chance!" Raphtalia cried as she swung her blade upon any and every vine she came across. Firo cheered as she began to engorge herself on the monstrosities many appendages all while Naofumi pushed the massive tree further and further, his new companion letting loose a war-cry on his behalf.
Finding no other alternative against the rampaging trio, the monstrous flower roared as the vines and roots ensnaring the town began to falter and wilt as the flower itself grew spined insect like legs before it seperated itself from the tree. Jumping down, it latched onto Naofumi in an attempt to devour the offending hero whole. Unfortunately, Naofumi's defense and growing rage proved far too much against it's maw.
The flower had soon been slammed onto it's bulb as fists, steel, and claw began to rend and ravage the raging flower's petals and body. With one last roar, the dying flower pushed the trio away with naught but the sheer force of its cry as it began to die.
Silence reigned as the trio let go of a breath…
"So can I eat it?" Firo asked.
"Firo!" Raphtalia shouted, "You can't just eat every monster we come across!"
"I can't?" The giant Filorial asked as she tilt her head. Of course, unbeknownst to the party, the monster had begun to gently convulse. The only one to truly notice the movement had been the tiny griffon chick as she began to cry, shout, and even peck at Naofumi's head.
"Hm? Something wrong? We can eat once I fix this tree so it doesn't make man eating plants anymore," Naofumi said idly as he looked to the frantic chick, oblivious to the flower's erratic behavior. Having taken its toll, Naofumi released Hegemol's Armor and sighed in relief as he reached for the massive flower.
Before he knew it, Naofumi's head was struck and caught in a blackened, clawed hand. The chick had jumped away into Raphtalia's arms as the Shield Hero struggled against the arm, orange pollen bursting forth as another hand slithered out. With a backhand, Naofumi was launched onto the tree as a scarred and pitch black skinned woman began to crawl out from the remains of the now wilting flower.
"NAOFUMI-SAMA!" Raphtalia shouted as she drew her sword and prepared to lunge, only to stop as the flower was raised by a mass of dirt and roots. The very earth began to clump and fuse beneath the decayed flower in the form of a massive, elongated, and muscled bestial body. As the Demon Flower began to claw at the earth, pincer like legs sprouted from its body as it closed in on the dazed Shield Hero.
With a rebel yell, Firo slammed into the beast as she dug both claw and beak into the clump of earth. Unfortunately, this did little to the demon as it was now upon Naofumi.
Thankfully, Naofumi had been entirely conscious throughout the attack as a message appeared before him:
[Mind Control Pheromones detected, Legendary Shield has negated the effect]
Eyes widening, Naofumi thought quickly as he took hold of his head and threw it back with a 'pained' roar. The over the top act caused Firo to blink and tilt her head as she looked to her master while Raphtalia only facepalmed… The beast however smiled viciously as she encroached upon him that much slower, finding no real need to hasten its steps.
'Gasping', Naofumi curled in on himself and quickly emptied a vial of herbicide into his mouth while holding on to another two. Smirking to himself, Naofumi allowed his head to be raised as the beast placed a hand upon his chin and pulled him slowly closer. As near as he could be, the Demon Flower opened it's maw to reveal two sets of steel edged teeth and drew Naofumi's head closer and closer…
Until he spat out the shining liquid right down its throat. With an actual roar of pain, the beast began to crawl backwards as it scratched at its throat. Choosing not to spare this chance, Naofumi slammed both held vials of herbicide into the demon's chest and watched as steam began to rise. Looking down, he took note of a bursting mass of water upon his arm.
[Splash Shield Unlocked!]
[Splash Shield Rank: 1/40
Defense: 60
Passive: Damage against plants X2
Active: Blast Herbicide directly in front of you]
It had been the perfect shield in such a situation, he thought to himself, and with the beast stunned, he had enough time to convert more of his health back into Mana so as to truly slay the demon. Now at half his health and with a full bar of Mana, Naofumi had slammed his new shield onto the Demon Flower's chest and watched as its body began to steam and dissolve. The beast had opened a second mouth at the base of its lower body in an attempt to devour Naofumi's legs as it lashed and swung its claws against his back.
As the Shield Hero's Mana slowly depleted, the Demon Flower had slowed considerably until it ceased all movement entirely. Naofumi had finally gasped out in relief as he kicked back the wilting and decaying monster, "I think I'm gonna swear off veggies from now on…"
"This'll be your food for now!" Naofumi shouted as he took his place within the wagon. Naofumi and Raphtalia having just loaded a mass of freshly grown fruit into the wagon as 'hazard pay' for the extermination.
"Are you sure they're going to be alright?" Raphtalia asked curiously as she watched Naofumi look out of the wagon while idly petting his new chick.
"Are you worried about that thing's seeds spreading and reproducing?" He asked in return as he gave her a small smile, "I managed to create a skill called 'Reconstruct Vegetation', the seeds mutations should be halted from now on so you don't have to worry," He finalized, not noticing his new pet's smirk.
Raphtalia nodded, but it was obvious she was still bothered, "Why leave without telling them?"
Naofumi lost his smile and took on a more contemplative look, "Maybe because it's better they not know I'm the Shield Hero? Plus, there was really no point in us staying behind in that town." Just as he put the matter to rest, Raphtalia's cough had returned. Sighing, he opened a crate and found a vial of advanced medicine.
"You sure do have a poor respiratory system. Just in case, take a dose of the usual and rest," He muttered as he gave the bothered Demi-human the vial, "Taking care of yourself isn't my job, so don't be stubborn," Growling, Naofumi began shouting, "Hey! You gonna say anything!?"
Shaken out of her stupor, Raphtalia took the now opened vial and held it close, "Ah, yes! I am grateful to the people of Lute for building a splendid carriage."
The chick only smiled softly as she watched the scene between the two unfold, happy that she could see it happen.
The day had soon come to a close, the party's travels having come to a halt so as to rest from the trials of the day. As Raphtalia lay within the carriage wrapped in heavy blankets, Naofumi had started a fire just outside of the carriage within a forest clearing.
"Camping outside isn't bad," Naofumi said idly as he unhooked Firo from the wagon's reigns, "But for Raphtalia's situation, I don't want her sleeping outside," Picking up his new chick and setting her on his shoulders, he began to pet and groom Firo, "You need to rest too! You did a lot of work today."
"Aren't you going to sleep, Master?" The giant Filorial asked curiously as she saw Naofumi take down several crates of his medicine and sit down on a dragged log.
"I'll rest once I'm done taking stock," He replied, flinching as Firo had turned human and plopped her head on his shoulder, "Huh?"
"Master?" She asked as she looked up at him worriedly, "Why did you choose Firo? Please tell me."
Naofumi rolled his eyes as he sighed, a small smiling forming on his lips as he pet the winged girl's head, "Asking me such questions…"
Melting into his palm, Firo gave him a sad look, "Then… would it be alright even if I weren't Firo?"
"Well, let's say that… Firo is the one who hatched from the egg that I bought," Naofumi explained, "If I didn't get a Filorial from the egg that I bought, then I wouldn't be doing peddling jobs like I'm doing now."
"Then if Firo gets injured and becomes useless!" The winged child shouted, "Will you go and buy someone else?" Sighing, Naofumi placed a hand atop her head once more and began to pet her gently.
"There's no one who can replace you," Naofumi replied softly, "So long as you aren't selfish and do what you have to, I won't ever leave you behind. You can count on me for that." Spirits lifted, Firo gave a spirited "Yes!" in reply before hugging her master tightly and leaving to sleep. As the now giant bird settled in, Naofumi's eyes idly watched the fire of the campsite burn… at least until gentle rubbing shook him from his reverie.
The still nameless chick looked up to him thoughtfully, intelligence shining from her eyes. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt as if his life hinged on this single creature's survival. Silently, Naofumi willed his shield shift into the Slave Master Shield and he placed a finger gently upon the griffon chick's chest.
"Bind," Was all he said as the chick flinched, electricity running along her body as a Slave Seal formed, "You're really okay with this?" He asked, the chick only seemed to chuckle as he felt his eyes grow heavy. His mind began to wander, thoughts looking back to his partners. The two were practically children in his eyes, people he wished to protect from the horrors that surrounded them…
And as his eyes began to flicker along to the ebbing flame before him, the chick upon his lap had swiftly changed into the visage of a young woman, topaz eyes surrounded by an inky black staring back as he fell to sleep.